Every year we get to this time of year and consumerism takes over. I am pretty sure it is alive and well throughout the year but now is when we really see it, when it really gets hyped up.
The newest gadgets are marketed to kids and adults alike and we all start envying the newest things. Some people go to one extreme of buying nothing and others go to the extreme of buying everything. Philosophies change (and that’s ok) and people everywhere feel judged no matter what they choose to do this time of year.
You bought WHAT for your kids?
You spend HOW MUCH?
You don’t buy gifts?
You don’t celebrate Santa?
Or…….THE LOOK is sometimes all you get.
We all get caught up in this ridiculous hype of what should or should not be in some way shape or form. So knock it off. Every single one of [us]. Do what you want for your family. Utilize what stores are open because there is nothing worse than working retail and a store being slow. Appreciate those that are closed. But good grief, be kind to the people working at them. Buy your deeply discounted toy but be nice to the person who set the display, who worked throughout the night so you could shop. Be kind to the poor cashier who is dead on her feet and still attempting to paste that smile on when all she really wants to do is go home and go to bed.
The reality is, there aren’t enough people in the world who are going to skip the shopping so the stores aren’t going to close. When they were closed you could sit in the WalMart shopping center on Thanksgiving and watch people bang on the locked and obviously CLOSED doors, cupping their hands and peering in like someone would open just for them. You could hear people complain that they couldn’t go to the grocery to buy that butter they forgot to get the day before. Boycott if you wish. It’s your right and it isn’t ridiculous like someone may tell you or make you feel. It’s all cool but remember not to judge the person who is going because “only a few bucks to you” may make the difference in whether they can afford Christmas gifts or not. It may make a difference whether they can give to someone else who needs or not.
No matter what you do this season, remember to spread Holiday Cheer to those that are making YOUR holiday just a little bit easier, just a little bit cheaper. Without them your level of inconvenience would sky rocket.